Brits prefer Rockingham

Brits prefer Rockingham - The West Australian

Wendy and Glynn Baker with sons Mitchum, 11, and Louis, 9, moved to Baldivis from England in 2009.

A clear picture of Rockingham’s multicultural community has emerged from the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics’ census data.

According to figures released last week, more than 15 per cent of Rockingham’s 104,105 population were born in England — well above the State average of 8.6 per cent and national average of 4.2 per cent.

The data also revealed a snapshot of the area’s diversity, with migrants from New Zealand (4.7 per cent), Scotland (2 per cent), South Africa (1.6 per cent) and the Philippines (0.5 per cent) among those flocking to the southern corridor.

Respondents born in Australia accounted for just under 63 per cent of all residents, in line with State averages.

In keeping with the region’s strong ties to the United Kingdom, 36.5 per cent claimed English ancestry - also above the State average of 29 per cent.

For Wendy and Glynn Baker and their two sons, who relocated from England in 2009, the choice to move to Baldivis was made easier with family already living nearby.

‘‘My husband has a distant cousin who lives in Shoalwater and she helped us settle in and everything,’’ Mrs Baker said.

‘‘That made it easier to decide where we wanted to go, really.

‘‘My husband was born in Australia as well, so we thought ‘we can get an Australian passport, let’s move there’.’’

Meanwhile, statistics from Kwinana revealed an almost identical snapshot to Rockingham, with 31 per cent of respondents claiming English heritage.

Like Rockingham, England (9.5 per cent), New Zealand (4.7 per cent), Philippines (1.5 per cent) and Scotland (1.3 per cent) were the leading birthplaces for migrants.

Just under 30 per cent of those surveyed in Rockingham and Kwinana said they had no religious affiliation, compared with 25.5 per cent across WA and 22.3 per cent nationally.

The average median weekly wage for people above 15 was $620 — $40 less than most in WA, but $43 more than the national average. It was a similar story for the median weekly household income of $1410, which is slightly below most in the State, but higher than the national average.